EIN FESTOXID-BRENNSTOFFZELLENSTAPEL

摘要

A solid oxide fuel cell stack ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of modules ( 12 ). Each module ( 12 ) comprises an elongate hollow member ( 14 ). Each hollow member ( 14 ) has at least one passage ( 32 ) extending longitudinally through the hollow member ( 14 ) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member ( 14 ) has two parallel flat surfaces ( 16,18 ). At least one of the modules ( 12 A, 12 B, 12 C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells ( 20 ). The solid oxide fuel cells ( 20 ) are arranged on the flat surfaces ( 16,18 ) of the modules ( 12 A, 12 B, 12 C). At least one end ( 34 ) of each module ( 12 ) is connected to an end ( 36 ) of an adjacent module ( 12 ) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules ( 12 ). The arrangement of the modules ( 12 ) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack ( 10 ) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack ( 10 ) are reduced.